Javier Mendez is preparing Islam Makhachev to go five hard rounds with welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena.
After vacating his lightweight title following the events of UFC 315 in Montreal, the ‘Dagestani Destoyer’ will move up to 170 for a crack at the division’s new top dog. No official announcements regarding when and where the two will tussle, but Makhachev and his team are already deep in preparation for what is sure to be one of the biggest fights of 2025.
Having finished eight of his last nine opponents, Makhachev is already showing up on sportsbooks as a 2-to-1 favorite, but Mendez, legendary MMA coach and founder of American Kickboxing Academy, is preparing his fighter to not just go the distance, but to dominate all 25 minutes of their impending title clash.